New Zealand, Australia and South Africa are set to kick-off a tri-nations soccer series next year.

Determined to lift the profile of their national teams, the respective associations have agreed to continue investigating ways of implementing the matches, which are to be played in the Southern Hemisphere.

In their most recent clash, Australia and South Africa met in London late last month, with the Socceroos winning 1-0.

"South Africa and Australia are keen to play such a competition," New Zealand Soccer chief executive Bill MacGowan said.

"While there has been some pressure to play such matches in Europe, we are all determined they should be played in this part of the world.

"The games could be played home and away. That is something we are looking at. The present thinking is the tri-series will be played every two years and scheduled to fit in the Fifa (international) windows which would ensure all players will be available.

"There is a genuine concern, particularly in New Zealand and Australia, that our top international players do not play on home soil regularly enough."

The initiative follows discussions between MacGowan, NZS chairman John Morris and their Australian Soccer Association (ASA) counterparts, John O'Neill and Frank Lowy, who, in turn, had spoken to South African soccer bosses in London.

"The Australians are keen to see international relationships expanded," MacGowan said, "just as we are keen to have the All Whites playing at home at least two or three times a year."

While in Sydney, MacGowan continued discussions with the ASA over the future participation of a New Zealand team in the Australian league.

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